Sydney Permits
Website
Allows you to busk in most areas within the city of Sydney including Pitt Street Mall
Cost
3 Month : $12
12 Month : $45
Busking Guidelines
Many busking sites in Sydney have specific restrictions (such as Pitt Street Mall) you will find all the details in the Guidelines
Submitting an Application
Website
Allow you to busk certain areas of Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. Heavy tourist traffic!
Cost :$20
Busking Guidelines
Includes having current public liability Insurance of $10M
Apply Online
Website
Busk the Pedestrian Mall of Manly. Lots of foot traffic and right next to Manly beach!
Cost
3 Month : $112
1 Month : $48
1 Day Only : $25
Busking is only allowed within the Manly Corso Pedestrian Mall - designated from Darley Road to South Steyne, from The Corso / Sydney Road Plaza to Central Avenue. Access to the stage area in the Corso is not permitted.
Busking licenses can't be issued on the spot. Applications must be done at Manly Council and can take up to 2 business days to process
Council Offices 1 Belgrave Street Manly
Busking Locations
Pitt Street Mall
Busking in Pitt Street Mall is restricted to three Standard Busking Sites, as marked on Map 6 of the Busking Site Maps and as identified by markers placed in the pavement in Pitt Street Mall.
Circle Acts are not permitted. Busking in the Mall is not permitted prior to 2pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends. One of the best busking lane's in Melbourne but you will probably need to wait for a spot.
Sydney Central Station
If you can get a spot in the underground tunnel it has busy foot traffic.
World Square
Busy street corners around Sydney's World Square.
Town Hall
Busy entrances to Town Hall Station.
Corner George + Druidd, great busking spot with lots of room.

The Manly Corso

'Songs on Stage' Open Mic
Martin Place
Busking in Martin Place is restricted to three Standard Busking Sites and two Special Busking Sites, as marked on maps 3, 4, 5 in the Busking Site Maps
Manly Corso
After a busk at circular quay jump on the ferry head over to Manly for a busk in the pedestrian Corso. Great vibe lots of cafes and tourists.
Darling Harbour
Requires Sydney Harbour Foreshore Busking Permit
The Rocks
Requires Sydney Harbour Foreshore Busking Permit
Cheap Food
Lentil as Anything http://lentilasanything.com/sydney/ Pay As You Feel Newtown - 391 King StreetSydney Busker Resources
(Potential Gigs/ Open Mics/ Facebook Groups) Songs on Stage https://www.facebook.com/SongsOnStage Music events co-ordinator Russell Neal hosts 'Songs on Stage'. A music community within Sydney, giving songwriters gigs to play their original material live on stage. In addition, he also sends out the highlights of his web site pages out in an e-mail newsletter every week. Sydneys Musician Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/sydneymusicians/ Open Mics in Sydney https://www.facebook.com/sydneyopenmic?fref=tsIf you have any useful information for other traveling buskers please email us [email protected] and we can add it to the website!
7 Comments
Do you need a permit to busk in Newtown?
Hey Arianne!
You do need a permit for Newtown, its the same one you use for the CBD. We have not busked there so let us know how you go 😀
Here is a link to map of where you can busk with the permit.
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/102007/busking-map-restricted-areas-exclusion-zones.pdf
Part of newtown is part of the other council. But one side of the street is the same one you need in the cbd
here a map : http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/council/our-responsibilities/permits-and-notifications/busking
Hello guys, I’m new in that “world”, it’s been a week I’m thinking “may be I should try it…” so I’m gonna try and play guitar on the street !
Where can I buy the permit to play in the street ?
The permit is the only thing I need to play ? Or do I need the always have other document on me ?
I’m in Sydney until september.
Thanks for your answer !
Hi Robin,
Awesome get out there and do it!
If you’re looking to busk around the Sydney you’ll want the City of Sydney Permit
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/council/our-responsibilities/permits-and-notifications/busking
Checkout the link above, permit is issued over the counter at 5 different council houses around Sydney.
Thanks!
Hey Robin, Glad to hear you’re going to give it a go. It is very rewarding on a lot of levels. You only need to have the permit and you can get it from the City Council Office. Check out the Sydney Guide, it will have al the info!
Goodluck!! – Jin
Hi, what kind of permit do I need, if I want to do the street Caricature? Thank you.